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    Gunther, Bob

    Sessions Served    Other Information

    House 1995-2002 (District 26A); House 2003-2012 (District 24A); House 2013-2020 (District 23A)

    Party when first elected:  Republican

    Counties Served:  Blue Earth, Faribault, Jackson, Martin, Watonwan

    BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

    Date of Birth: 7/12/1943
    Birth Place: Fairmont, Minnesota
    Birth County: Martin
    Birth Country: United States
    Date of Death:
    Gender: Male
    Religion: Evangelical
    Reported Minority: None Reported
    Other Names:
    City of Residence (when first elected): Fairmont
    Occupation (when first elected): Business, Merchant

    EDUCATION

    Fairmont High School; Secondary;
    St. Cloud State University; B.S.; Marketing

    OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

    State Board/Commission/Council: Minnesota Chicano Latino Affairs Council (Board of Directors); [Dates Unknown] [Appointed]
    Military: United States Navy (Vietnam War); [Dates Unknown]
    State Board/Commission/Council: Minnesota Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council (Appointed by Minnesota House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher); 12/01/2008 to 2??? [Appointed]

    FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

    Spouse: Nancy
    Children: One child: Elizabeth (daughter)
    Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

    GENERAL NOTES

    He did not seek reelection in 2020.

    He was a member of Bethel Evangelical Free Church.

    Religion provided by the Natural Resources Defense Council's State Directories 2005.

    Most recent term photo
    Click to view
    Total Days Served: 9289

    SESSIONS SERVED

    91st Legislative Session (2019-2020)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 23A
    Elected: 11/6/2018
    Residence: Fairmont
    Term of Office: 1/8/2019 to 1/4/2021
    Counties Represented: Blue Earth, Faribault, Jackson, Martin, Watonwan
    Occupation: Retired
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Rules and Legislative Administration: Subcommittee on Legislative Process Reform Minutes
    • Ways & Means: Greater Minnesota Jobs and Economic Development Finance Division Minutes
    • Ways & Means: Housing Finance & Policy Division Minutes
    • Ways & Means: Jobs and Economic Development Finance Division Minutes
    term photo
    Click to view

    90th Legislative Session (2017-2018)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 23A
    Elected: 11/8/2016
    Residence: Fairmont
    Term of Office: 1/3/2017 to 1/7/2019
    Counties Represented: Blue Earth, Faribault, Jackson, Martin, Watonwan
    Occupation: Business
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    term photo
    Click to view

    89th Legislative Session (2015-2016)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 23A
    Elected: 11/4/2014
    Residence: Fairmont
    Term of Office: 1/6/2015 to 1/2/2017
    Counties Represented: Blue Earth, Faribault, Jackson, Martin, Watonwan
    Occupation: Business
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Aging & Long-Term Care Policy Minutes
    • Greater Minnesota Economic & Workforce Development Policy (Chair) Minutes
    • Job Growth & Energy Affordability Policy & Finance Minutes
    • Rules & Legislative Administration Minutes
    term photo
    Click to view

    88th Legislative Session (2013-2014)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 23A
    Elected: 11/6/2012
    Residence: Fairmont
    Term of Office: 1/8/2013 to 1/5/2015
    Counties Represented: Blue Earth, Faribault, Jackson, Martin, Watonwan
    Occupation: Business
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Special Session Bills Authored:     2013 1st Sp.S. - Author
    Committees:
    • Capital Investment Minutes
    • Jobs and Economic Development Finance and Policy Minutes
    • Ways and Means Minutes
    term photo
    Click to view

    87th Legislative Session (2011-2012)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 24A
    Elected: 11/2/2010
    Residence: Fairmont
    Term of Office: 1/4/2011 to 1/7/2013
    Counties Represented: Faribault, Martin, Watonwan
    Occupation: Business
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Special Session Bills Authored:  2011 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author    2011 1st Sp.S. - Author
    Committees:
    • Jobs and Economic Development Finance (Chair) Minutes
    • State Government Finance Minutes
    • Ways and Means Minutes
    Leadership Position: Assistant Majority Leader
    term photo
    Click to view

    86th Legislative Session (2009-2010)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 24A
    Elected: 11/4/2008
    Residence: Fairmont
    Term of Office: 1/6/2009 to 1/3/2011
    Counties Represented: Faribault, Martin, Watonwan
    Occupation: Small Business Owner, Grocer
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Special Session Bills Authored:     2010 2nd Sp.S. - Author
    Committees:
    • Finance: Energy Finance and Policy Division Minutes
    • Finance: Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division Minutes
    • Finance: Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division Minutes
    • Rules and Legislative Administration Minutes
    Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader
    term photo
    Click to view

    85th Legislative Session (2007-2008)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 24A
    Elected: 11/7/2006
    Residence: Fairmont
    Term of Office: 1/3/2007 to 1/5/2009
    Counties Represented: Faribault, Martin, Watonwan
    Occupation: Family Business, Grocery Store Owner
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Commerce and Labor: Labor and Consumer Protection Division Minutes
    • Finance: Education Finance and Economic Competitiveness Finance Division: Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division Minutes
    • Finance: Energy Finance and Policy Division Minutes
    • Finance: Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division Minutes
    • Finance: Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division: Watersheds, Wetlands and Buffers Minutes
    • Ways and Means Minutes
    term photo
    Click to view

    84th Legislative Session (2005-2006)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 24A
    Elected: 11/2/2004
    Residence: Fairmont
    Term of Office: 1/4/2005 to 1/2/2007
    Counties Represented: Faribault, Martin, Watonwan
    Occupation: Business
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Special Session Bills Authored:  2005 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author    2005 1st Sp.S. - Author
    Committees:
    • Commerce and Financial Institutions Minutes
    • Jobs and Economic Opportunity Policy and Finance (Chair) Minutes
    • Regulated Industries Minutes
    • Ways and Means Minutes
    Leadership Position: Assistant Majority Leader
    term photo
    Click to view

    83rd Legislative Session (2003-2004)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 24A
    Elected: 11/5/2002
    Residence: Fairmont
    Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 1/3/2005
    Counties Represented: Faribault, Martin, Watonwan
    Occupation: Business
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Special Session Bills Authored:  2003 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author    2003 1st Sp.S. - Author
    Committees:
    • Commerce, Jobs, and Economic Development Minutes
    • Commerce, Jobs, and Economic Development: Economic Development and Tourism Division Minutes
    • Jobs and Economic Development Finance (Chair) Minutes
    • Regulated Industries Minutes
    • Ways and Means Minutes
    term photo
    Click to view

    82nd Legislative Session (2001-2002)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 26A
    Elected: 11/7/2000
    Residence: Fairmont
    Term of Office: 1/3/2001 to 1/6/2003
    Counties Represented: Blue Earth, Martin, Watonwan
    Occupation: Business
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Commerce, Jobs, and Economic Development Minutes
    • Crime Prevention Minutes
    • Jobs and Economic Development Finance Minutes
    • Regulated Industries Minutes
    term photo
    Click to view

    81st Legislative Session (1999-2000)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 26A
    Elected: 11/3/1998
    Residence: Fairmont
    Term of Office: 1/5/1999 to 1/2/2001
    Counties Represented: Blue Earth, Martin, Watonwan
    Occupation: Business
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:

    80th Legislative Session (1997-1998)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 26A
    Elected: 11/5/1996
    Residence: Fairmont
    Term of Office: 1/7/1997 to 1/4/1999
    Counties Represented: Blue Earth, Martin, Watonwan
    Occupation: Business
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Agriculture Minutes
    • Commerce, Tourism and Consumer Affairs Minutes
    • Commerce, Tourism and Consumer Affairs: Business Regulation Minutes
    • Economic Development and International Trade
    • Economic Development and International Trade: Economic Development
    • Economic Development and International Trade: Economic Development Finance Division
    • Economic Development and International Trade: Economic Development Finance Division: Government Efficiency and Reform (Chair)

    79th Legislative Session (1995-1996)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 26A
    Elected: 8/1/1995
    Residence: Fairmont
    Term of Office: 8/1/1995 to 1/6/1997 (Special Election)
    Counties Represented: Blue Earth, Martin, Watonwan
    Occupation: Business, Merchant
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    Session Notes: His official term start date is uncertain due to the special election. The date listed is the special election date. He won the seat vacated by Gene Hugoson.

    OTHER INFORMATION

    Session Interviews
    Session Interview (Video) 2016 House Interview

    Session Interview (Video) 2006 House Interview


    Video
    2020 Departing House Member Speeches (Video) 2020



    The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library has collected newspaper articles on legislators since 1973. They are available in the Library.

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